Relay and method of making the same.



J. S. PBVEAR.

RELAY AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 24, 1907.

923,202, Patented June 1, 1909.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

JESSE S. PEVEAR, OF SCHENEOTAEY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

I RELAY AND mnrnon OF axine THE SAME.

Application filed Augu st24, 1907. Serial No. 390,046.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented June 1, 1909.

gagement with fixed contacts as the core is drawn into the magnetic field of the current-carrying coil, or is allowed to drop from said field.

It is well known that when a spiral conductor is carrying current there is a tendency for the convolutions of the spiral to approach oneanother, or in other words, a tendency for the coil to contract. Expenence has shown that when the current-carrying coils of relays are rigidly supported at their ends, a sudden large rush of current, and the resulting tendency for the coil P to contract, may so strain the coil and supporting brackets that the. whole structure gets out of line. Under these conditions the coil may take a permanent set and interference with the movement of the core result.

An object of my invention is to so construct and support the current carrying" coil that such disarrangement of parts cannot occur. For this purpose I use a new method of making the coil and provide means for permitting contraction and expansion thereother ways.

of without s jecting the supporting parts to any strain. a I

In the type of relay which I have selected for the purpose of illustration, the coil is rigidly supported at its lower end, while the other end is left free to move, electrlcal connection being made at the lower end through the supportin means, and at the upper end through a flexible conductor. 1'

wish it understood, however, that it is not my intention to limit myself to the particular construction, since I realize that the coil might egually' well be supported from its upper en from its middle, or inmany The drawing shows in" front elevation,

partly in section, a relay constructed in accordance with my invention.

' gether.

ported on a base 1 of some suitable insulat ing material. The current-carrying coil 2 is preferably made by cutting spirally through atube of copper or other suitable conducting material. After the tube is out in this manner it is placed in a press and the convolutions of the spiral pressed to- Whenthe pressure is relieved the turns spring apart and leave aslight' space between each turn. The coil is thusallowed to take its natural position, and any con traction of it thereafter cannot give it a permanent set. *This coil 2 is supported by the bracket 3 secured to a terminal l mounted on the base 1. The upper end of the coil has secured to it a plate 5 connected by a flexible conductor 6, preferably of thin ribbons of copper, with a terminal 7.

Projecting downwardly from a bracket 8, secured to the base -1, is an iron core 9, surrounded by a tube of insulation 10 which has an apron 11 of insulating material extending laterally therefrom outwardly over the top of thecoil 2. The insulating tube 10 may be secured to the core 9 by means of a pin 12 passing through both, or in any other suitable manner.

projects into and slides within a hole in the core 9, as clearly shown. Secured to the lower end of the core 13,- in any suitable manner as by screwingin into a threaded hole in saidcore and looking it with a lock-nut 15, is a rod 16. Loosely mounted on this rod 16, between collars 17 and 18 fixed thereon, is acontact disk 19 of a well-known type. A spiral spring 20 tends to kee this disk in engagement w th the upper co ar 17 Pro jectingirom the lower end of the rod 16 is a pin 21 arranged to slide in ahole in the end of a member 22 which screws through a fixed bracket 23, being held from movement by a A movable core 13 has, extending from its upper end, a rod 14 which is clear-thatany contraction of the coil 2,

due to a sudden rush of current, will not subject any of the parts to strain, since the top of the coil will be free to move up and down slightly, electrical connection with the terminal-7 being maintained by the flexible c0n-' ductor 6. a

The normal operation of the above described relay is as usual in devices of this kind. When the current in the coil 2 reaches a 'certain value the resulting magnetic field causes the core 13 to rise, thereby lifting the contact disk 19 which bridges the fixed contacts 9.5 and 26, being firmly held in contact with them by a spring 20 which is put under tension.

While I have shown my invention as applied to a relay, it is, of course, to be understood that current-carrying coils may be made by my new method and supported 1n a manner similar to that which I have described in connection with other types of electrical apparatus, such as circuit breakers, electro-magnetic switches, etc. It is my intention to cover my invention for all such uses and for all obvious modifications in the following claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure I by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is,

1.- The method of'making current-carrying coils which consists in cutting a spiral through a tube of conducting material, press ing together the turns of the coil thus formed, and thereafter allowing the coil to expand to its natural position.

2. The method of making a current-carrying coil which consists in cutting spirally through a tube of conducting material, then pressing longitudinally the coil so formed,

and thereafter allowing the coil to assume its natural position.

3. In an electro-magnetically controlled device, -a current-carrying coil, a core of magnetic material movable in the field thereof, and means for supporting said coil so as to permit contraction andexpansion thereof. 4, In an .electro -magne tically controlled device, a current-.carrying coil, a core of magnetic material movable in the field thereof, means for rigidly supporting said coil from one end while the other end is left free to-move. V 5. In an electro-magnetically controlled device, a current-carrying coil, a core of said fixed contacts" as the core moves, means for rigidly supporting said coil at one end and for making electrical connection with the coil atthat' point, and a flexible conductor attached to the'other end of said coil for making electrical connection therewith 7. In an electro-magnetically controlled device, a current-carrying coil, a core movable in the field thereof, fixed contacts, a movable, contact carried by said core 'and adapted to move into and out of engagement with said fixed contacts as the core moves,

-a bracket for rigidly supporting said-coil at its lower end and. maklng'electrical connection therewith, and a flexibleconductor attached to-the supper end of said coil and making electrical connection therewith.

. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 23rd day of'August, 1907.

.JEssE s. PEVEAR,

Witnesses? HELEN ORFORl), ABBA B. MARVIN, Jr. 

